Barry McArthur takes home winning rainbow trout

When Barry McArthur pulled a 23 inch rainbow trout out of the pond at the Wingham Sportsman Club, one of two he lured out of the water at a June 12 fishing derby, he said it was part of a family habit that he had no intention of quitting.

McArthur, who hails from Gorrie and made his way to the club as part of the Wingham Community Living and sportsman association’s collaborative event, said his father and brothers have “taught him everything he knows about fishing.”

Even with a familial tradition of casting lines, pulling the weighty trout from the pond, was no picnic according the McArthur. He needed strength and patience to bring in the trout and the derby’s title that day.

“I’ve been coming to the fishing derby for a while,” he said. “Every year it’s right after were just about quitting and that’s when they hit.”

And hit they did, down to the wire. The result, said McArthur, was a personal record chordate and a heavenly grin.

“My dad would be up there and he’ll be proud of me right now, catching the biggest fish of my entire life,” he said.

Members of the Wingham Sportsman Club pose for a photo at the June 12 fishing derby. The club has been hosting the derby event for around 50 years. STEVE CORNWELL/POSTMEDIA

The derby, which brought together the Wingman Sportsman, clients of the town’s Community Living as well as their friends and family, has been going on for nearly 50 years. Around 30 participants stocked the shores this time, and while the bites were minimal this year, the sportsman club ensured that hotdogs and pop were available to cushion the blow.

“I think they enjoy the hotdogs and pop more than they do the fishing,” joked long-time sportsman member Bob Thompson. “But I guess it’s a nice day out for them anyway.”

Bob and Janette Thompson were serving up refreshments at the Wingham Sportsman Club’s annual fishing derby event on June 12. STEVE CORNWELL/POSTMEDIA

Thompson can’t exactly remember when he started volunteering for the derby events, but he estimates it’s been around four decades of slinging hotdogs for lunch, and enjoying the smiling faces of those who pull a prize from the pond at the derby.

“I guess as long as we’re able to we’ll keep doing it,” he said considering the future of the long-standing event.

Angela McPherson, program manager at the Wingham Community Living, was appreciative of volunteers like Thompson and long-time sportsman Allan Miller in reeling in the event.

For such an event volunteering includes loading the hooks with worms, measuring and preparing the fish as well as making lunch for the whole crew.

“It’s a great day for everybody to be able to get out and explore fishing in a stocked pond area,” McPherson said.

Angela McPherson, program manager at the Wingham Community Living, was appreciative of volunteers like long-time sportsman Allan Miller in reeling in the tasks at June 12 fishing derby. Around 30 Community Living clients, friends and family attended the derby at the Sportsman’s Club in Wingham. STEVE CORNWELL/POSTMEDIA

The hotdog and pop lunch notwithstanding, McArthur had his eyes, and likely his stomach, pointed at the fish he caught on June 12. He said he was looking forward to bringing his fish home, and eating them anyway his mother would make them.

“This is my biggest one,” he said. “I’m going to go home and be proud of it.”

Around 30 Community Living Wingham clients, friends and family participated in the June 12 fishing derby at the Wingham Sportsman Club. Barry McArthur (front right) had the largest fish in the derby. STEVE CORNWELL/POSTMEDIA